In many countries, fast food is becoming cheaper and more widely available. 

Do the disadvantages of this outweigh the advantages? 

In some parts of the world, the cost of fast food is shrinking as its availability is rising. While there are certain advantages to this trend, this essay will explain why I believe these are outweighed by the damage which can be caused by low-cost, easily accessible fast food.

To begin with the benefits, the decreasing price of fast food means that it has become more affordable for people on low incomes. This is beneficial because it can help these individuals to save money, which can be directed towards higher aims, such as greater education possibilities. With respect to the increasing availability of fast food, this has the positive effect of providing the consumer with more choice. As a result, this trend allows people to feel a greater sense of autonomy, which can be empowering.

However, these advantages need to be considered in light of the drawbacks, and the most concerning of these is the impact fast food has on public health. It is no secret that fast food is notorious for its paucity of nutritional value and, conversely, overabundance of salt, sugar and trans fats. This combination is why such food has been linked to obesity, diabetes and cardiac problems. Consequently, the economic burden placed on health services as a result of such trends may become unmanageable, which would overwhelm the aforementioned advantages. 

In conclusion, despite the benefits which increasingly affordable and available fast food might present, such as saving people money and offering more options, these advantages are insignificant in comparison with the harm to public health which could be caused by this trend.